91´óÉñ

The pediatric cardiac exercise program at 91´óÉñ Children’s is part of our complete, award-winning care at heart centers in <a href=\"/content/nemours/us/en/services/delaware-valley-pediatric-cardiac-center.html\">Delaware</a> and <a href=\"/content/nemours/us/en/services/florida-pediatric-cardiac-center.html\">Florida</a>. Our team uses exercise to improve the health and quality of life in children with heart and blood vessel conditions.</p>\r\n<p>We assess children with symptoms like chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath or fainting (syncope). We design exercise programs for kids and young adults with congenital (present at birth) heart defects, exercise intolerance and other conditions that affect the heart and vascular system. We also monitor progress after heart procedures and surgery.</p>\r\n<p>Our labs are equipped for the full range of exercise stress testing, like cardiopulmonary exercise tests, stress echocardiograms and more. We work with expert pediatric cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, preventive cardiologists, cardiac oncologists, cardiac rehabilitation specialists and others to plan care.</p>\r\n<p>At 91´óÉñ, your child gets personalized services from recognized leaders in their field. In fact, members of our team are researching the effects of exercise on heart disease and are part of national organizations that create training programs for future doctors.&nbsp;</p>\r\n"}} id=text-1ef9fc8984 class=cmp-text>

The pediatric cardiac exercise program at 91´óÉñ Children’s is part of our complete, award-winning care at heart centers in Delaware and Florida. Our team uses exercise to improve the health and quality of life in children with heart and blood vessel conditions.

We assess children with symptoms like chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath or fainting (syncope). We design exercise programs for kids and young adults with congenital (present at birth) heart defects, exercise intolerance and other conditions that affect the heart and vascular system. We also monitor progress after heart procedures and surgery.

Our labs are equipped for the full range of exercise stress testing, like cardiopulmonary exercise tests, stress echocardiograms and more. We work with expert pediatric cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, preventive cardiologists, cardiac oncologists, cardiac rehabilitation specialists and others to plan care.

At 91´óÉñ, your child gets personalized services from recognized leaders in their field. In fact, members of our team are researching the effects of exercise on heart disease and are part of national organizations that create training programs for future doctors.Ìý

We offer exercise testing and treatment planning for kids, from age four through adulthood.</p>\r\n<h3>Pediatric Exercise Stress Tests</h3>\r\n<h3>&nbsp;</h3>\r\n<p>Exercise stress tests measure heart and lung function before, during and after exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike. What we find often directly informs treatment. For some children, especially those with severe limitations, we may use medicines to mimic the effects of exercise.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>During exercise testing, we can assess things like:&nbsp;</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Blood flow through the heart and lungs</li>\r\n<li>Blood pressure</li>\r\n<li>Carbon dioxide production</li>\r\n<li>Electrical activity in the heart</li>\r\n<li>Fitness level</li>\r\n<li>Heart rate</li>\r\n<li>Oxygen consumption&nbsp;</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>We may use a variety of equipment and <a href=\"/content/nemours/us/en/services/diagnosticcardio.html\">advanced heart imaging</a>, including:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Blood pressure cuffs on the arm</li>\r\n<li>Pulse oximeter placed on the finger</li>\r\n<li>Electrocardiogram (EKG) to record electrical activity</li>\r\n<li>Echocardiogram, or ultrasound that uses soundwaves to create images of the heart and blood vessels</li>\r\n<li>Spirometry and masks or mouthpieces to test pulmonary (lung) function</li>\r\n<li>Heart MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), in Delaware</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>We also use other diagnostics, like Holter monitors to track heart rhythm during daily activity or tilt table testing to look for causes of fainting.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<h3>Exercise Programs for Children With Heart Conditions</h3>\r\n<h3>&nbsp;</h3>\r\n<p>Based on our assessments, we can design safe, effective exercise programs to improve your child’s heart health. Plans may include aerobic exercise, strength training and flexibility exercises.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Some exercise plans are done on your own, while others are carried out under careful medical supervision at our rehabilitation facilities.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<h3>Specialized Care for Athletes</h3>\r\n<h3>&nbsp;</h3>\r\n<p>We work with our <a href=\"/content/nemours/us/en/services/sports-cardiology.html\">sports cardiology</a>&nbsp;team to help student athletes with heart problems, or at risk for heart problems, stay active. We monitor your child’s condition and customize exercise programs to your child’s needs.&nbsp;</p>\r\n"}} id=text-9b1b580e0a class=cmp-text>

We offer exercise testing and treatment planning for kids, from age four through adulthood.

Pediatric Exercise Stress Tests

Ìý

Exercise stress tests measure heart and lung function before, during and after exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike. What we find often directly informs treatment. For some children, especially those with severe limitations, we may use medicines to mimic the effects of exercise.Ìý

During exercise testing, we can assess things like:Ìý

• Blood flow through the heart and lungs
• Blood pressure
• Carbon dioxide production
• Electrical activity in the heart
• Fitness level
• Heart rate
• Oxygen consumptionÌý

We may use a variety of equipment and advanced heart imaging, including:

• Blood pressure cuffs on the arm
• Pulse oximeter placed on the finger
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) to record electrical activity
• Echocardiogram, or ultrasound that uses soundwaves to create images of the heart and blood vessels
• Spirometry and masks or mouthpieces to test pulmonary (lung) function
• Heart MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), in Delaware

We also use other diagnostics, like Holter monitors to track heart rhythm during daily activity or tilt table testing to look for causes of fainting.Ìý

Exercise Programs for Children With Heart Conditions

Ìý

Based on our assessments, we can design safe, effective exercise programs to improve your child’s heart health. Plans may include aerobic exercise, strength training and flexibility exercises.Ìý

Some exercise plans are done on your own, while others are carried out under careful medical supervision at our rehabilitation facilities.Ìý

Specialized Care for Athletes

Ìý

We work with our sports cardiologyÌýteam to help student athletes with heart problems, or at risk for heart problems, stay active. We monitor your child’s condition and customize exercise programs to your child’s needs.Ìý

Before your child’s exercise stress test, we go over everything and answer all your questions.</p>\r\n<p>For the test, have your child wear comfortable exercise clothing with tennis shoes and remove jewelry.</p>\r\n<p>Exercise stress tests can vary depending on a child’s needs. Generally, you can expect the following:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>We’ll place electrodes, or small sticky patches, on your child’s chest, arms and legs to monitor heart rate.</li>\r\n<li>Other devices are secured, like a blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter on the finger and/or mask or mouthpiece if needed. We’ll take readings at rest.</li>\r\n<li>We’ll ask your child to start walking on the treadmill or pedaling the stationary bike.&nbsp;</li>\r\n<li>We’ll begin at a low intensity and slowly increase until your child’s maximum heart rate is reached.</li>\r\n<li>During the test, we monitor your child’s heart rate, blood pressure and other body signs.</li>\r\n<li>Depending on the type of test, we may perform an echocardiogram or other heart imaging before and after exercise to see how the heart is working.</li>\r\n<li>When the test is over, we’ll have your child rest until their heart rate and blood pressure return to normal.</li>\r\n<li>Most tests take about an hour from start to finish.</li>\r\n<li>After testing, we report results to your child’s referring cardiologist or other physician. They’ll go over the results and next steps with you.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n"}} id=text-fd3207fd6b class=cmp-text>

Before your child’s exercise stress test, we go over everything and answer all your questions.

For the test, have your child wear comfortable exercise clothing with tennis shoes and remove jewelry.

Exercise stress tests can vary depending on a child’s needs. Generally, you can expect the following:

• We’ll place electrodes, or small sticky patches, on your child’s chest, arms and legs to monitor heart rate.
• Other devices are secured, like a blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter on the finger and/or mask or mouthpiece if needed. We’ll take readings at rest.
• We’ll ask your child to start walking on the treadmill or pedaling the stationary bike.Ìý
• We’ll begin at a low intensity and slowly increase until your child’s maximum heart rate is reached.
• During the test, we monitor your child’s heart rate, blood pressure and other body signs.
• Depending on the type of test, we may perform an echocardiogram or other heart imaging before and after exercise to see how the heart is working.
• When the test is over, we’ll have your child rest until their heart rate and blood pressure return to normal.
• Most tests take about an hour from start to finish.
• After testing, we report results to your child’s referring cardiologist or other physician. They’ll go over the results and next steps with you.